Vols left out of NCAA tournament, face Mercer in the NIT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Tennessee Vols won't be putting on their dancing shoes this March.

When CBS revealed the 68-team NCAA tournament Sunday evening, Tennessee's name never appeared on the screen.

With a 20-12 record, the Vols were considered a 'bubble team' to make the tournament.

Later Sunday evening, the Vols learned that they will face Mercer in the first round of the NIT. That game will be played Wednesday at 8 pm in Thompson-Boling Arena.

Tennessee posted nine wins against top 100 teams and won nine of its last 11, nevertheless, NCAA Committee Chairman Mike Bobinski said on the CBS selection show that the Vols' hadn't done enough to earn a bid.

"During that time they honestly didn't beat a lot of powerful teams," Bobinski said.

"And again, (Tennessee) struggled to win on the road over the course of the year. I think it really came down to that more than anything. And the sweep during the season by Ole Miss of Tennessee I think was a factor also as we evaluated them."

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